Spring is here and it’s time for the April needlework show online. www.needleworkshow.com Although I exhibited in the wholesale market in Nashville just last month, the online show is a wonderful way for all of you to participate. As a retail customer, you are able to see for yourself what is available and have your shop place an order for you.

I have a few new designs to share with you. The first is an antique reproduction called “Lord, Teach Me.” It’s dated June of 1881, but curiously the stitcher’s name is torn out. I wish I knew the reason he or she didn’t want their name recorded for all time. It is originally worked with red thread on an off white cloth. I decided to recreate it in reverse, using white silk thread on a red linen. I love the look of it on red, but of course, you can stitch it just like the original. The “Prayer of St. Francis” is just a beautiful verse with words to live by. It’s a very elegant looking piece to display in your home.

If you’d like something that is quick to stitch, I have three other choices. The “Key To My Heart” is a sweet sentiment and expression of love. It’s perfect for a Valentine gift or as a “just because.” The “1840 Inn” is a trio of folk art patterns incorporating an inn painted by an itinerant folk artist that’s from an antique mural. Lastly, “Basket of Eggs” is a little piece stitched on perforated paper which I include in the chartpak. It, as well as Key To My Heart, fit perfectly in a store bought frame.

I hope you enjoy the show, and please send me an email to participate in the drawing for a doorprize.

I hope you’ve had a wonderful summer. Should I say a “Long Hot Summer?” (I still love that movie with Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward!) But truly, here we are in the middle of September and the temps are still in the 80s!

This is my first year in the Harvest Hop Market Trade Show and I’m so pleased! My two newest designs that I offered are doing very well. I just love “Ghostly Encounters.” I hope all the Halloween fans got to see it. I’m also really delighted that you all love “Not Without Books.” Living in Virginia, I’ve visited Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson, a few times. It’s in a beautiful part of the state and I can only imagine how wonderful it must have been to live there. His library is to be admired and, after hearing the quote about his love for books, it inspired me to create this design. It looks great hanging in our home where we have our modest collection of reading material. If you haven’t seen what’s new, all the details are in my Gallery.

Thank you to those who were a part of this show. I hope you’ll join me in the Needlework Show online next month. I’ll have two new designs for you. The first is the final in my series of seasonal bird designs, “Bird of Autumn,” along with a piece called “Favorite Things in Winter.” Until then! . . . Pam

Good Morning to all of you! The online needlework show begins tonight after midnight, on April 1st. I have two new patterns for you that I hope you’ll love.

The first is a patriotic design called “Old Glory.” It’s stitched on 28 count Dirty linen with a stitch count of 54w X 82h and fits perfectly in a 5″ X 7″ frame. I purchased mine at A.C. Moore craft store. It’s from the Parisian Home collection. The threads are from The Gentle Art: Country Red, Parchment, Apple Cider, Uniform Blue, and Onyx. They give a time worn look to the piece which I love. I’ve used a folk art pin from the Patriotic collection to add a little accent in the corner. It’s from Just Another Button Company. I’d like to thank Sharon Schutjer for stitching Old Glory for me. She did an awesome job!

Old Glory

The second new pattern is called “The Only Fish For Me.” It’s stitched on 28 count Gingerbread linen from Picture This Plus with a stitch count of 96w X 123h and fits perfectly into an 8″ X 10″ frame, also from the Parisian collection at A.C Moore. The threads are from Weeks Dye Works: White Lightening, Parchment, Pebble, Butterscotch, Pea Coat, Bayberry, Citronella, and Cognac. I also made a tassel from metallic threads for a lure and attached it to the top of the fish hook. This step is optional, but I believe enhances the colors in the fish, my folk art version of a Bank Sea Bass. If you have a gentleman ( lady) fisherman, this design is for you. Perfect gift for a birthday, or Father’s Day. I know my husband loves it and it’s hanging in his office!

The Only Fish For Me

If you’d like to have these new designs, or any other patterns on my website, please let your local shop know as they can order it for you. You can email me during the show at info@StitchesThroughTime.com to enter your name into a drawing for a doorprize. Good Luck and have a wonderful weekend!

It was a long drive, close to 12 hours from Nashville to VA Beach. The mountain views were absolutely beautiful, and so was the weather, so unusual for this time of year. Believe me, I’m grateful! There’s been many times creeping along through ice and snow.

The puppies were so happy to see us, and vice versa! I don’t understand how they seem to have grown in just a few days. I don’t want my babies to get any bigger! Well, maybe just their behavior. Lol We hit the jackpot finding a dog sitter. I think the house was cleaner than when I left it, and the puppies even learned some new commands.

The show was wonderful. We talked to a great many folks, both exhibitors and shops. A few steps away from me was Needlemade Designs, Just Another Button Company, and even Lizzie Kate! At the other end of the hall was the lovely Paulette Stewart from Plum Street Samplers, along with Chessie and Me, and Brenda Gervais from With Thy Needle and Thread. I was a little starstruck!

Here are a few photos of our display at the show:

The last one is my complimentary design to you. You can find it on the “Free Pattern” page. Take care!

Hi everyone! I’m busy, but getting excited about the wholesale trade show in Nashville next week, March 4th through 6th. Between printing, packaging, and packing, oh yes, and cleaning up after puppies, I’m wiped out! lol. Sadie is 6 months old now and little Maisie is just 3 months. The old man Oliver is around 10 I guess, he was our rescue years ago. He’s taking it all in stride. Such a good boy!

I’m really happy with the new designs and I hope you all feel the same way. Please let your shops know if you’d like them to carry my patterns. I’d appreciate it! Here are some details:

If you’d like to stitch the napkin that compliments, you will need a piece of fabric (I used a cotton blend from Hancock Fabrics, the remainder of which the puppies got a hold of and are playing a lovely game of tug-of-war with). I purchased enough so that I could make a beverage sized napkin. The stitch count is 59w X 59h and the design measures 4-1/8″ square. You will need a piece of waste canvas. I used DMC Water Soluble Canvas, 14 count. You stitch in 1/4 of the fabric. I cut 2 pieces of 12″ square fabric, one for stitching and the second for a backing. Also, since CC threads are not colorfast and with water soluble canvas you need to soak the stitched piece in a hot water bath, I used all the DMC alternatives for the napkin. The DMC threads used are: 310, 436, 712, 732, 734, 801, 919, and 975. There is an excellent Youtube video on using the canvas you can check out. It was my first time stitching using waste canvas and it was really easy.

Peacemakers: Stitched on 32 count linen, Country French Latte #85251 from Wichelt Imports. Stitch count is 156w X 192h. Threads are Classic Colorworks Auntie Dee (2 skeins) and Ye Olde Gold. Weeks Dye Works 1304 Onyx (2 skeins). Sullivan’s 45053 or DMC 310. My daughter, Brooke, is married to a police officer and encouraged me to create this design. A big thank you to Bonnie Hope for stitching it for me!

As promised, here is a photo of my newly stitched and framed design, “The Perfect Blend.” I’m so delighted with how it turned out, and with the beautiful framing work done by Sherri Berkman of Total Framing. Her choice of the rustic pecan frame really brings out the coffee colors of the piece. The threads I chose were overdyed from Classic Colorworks: Just Rust, Whatley Woodlands, Brown Sugar, Peanut Brittle, Eggshell, and Perfect Piecrust. I also used DMC 310 Black, and a combination of DMC 732 and 734, Olive Green. It is stitched on 32 Count Black linen from Zweigart. Stitch Count: 125w X 90h. Just a note, when stitching on a dark fabric, as long as lighting is good from above and below, it is really not difficult at all. I originally thought I’d stitch this piece on a darker brown, which I still think would look awesome. It’s just that the black really makes the stitching pop and my heart sing! I’m planning on a small bonus design to compliment this piece. Hope you like it as much as I do!

First, I hope everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving! We spent ours with 2 of our children and their families, ate too much, and ended up in bed “turkey tired” and all sugared out! lol Typical!

By now you all must know how much I love dogs. I’ve had them since I was a little girl, many, many (many) years ago. Haha! We got our Oliver from a wonderful rescue group 9 years ago called Lucky Star Cavalier. We actually drove all the way to Wisconsin to pick him up. He and Maddi were best buds until her passing this past April.

Well…along comes Sadie, the ruby Cavalier. So adorable, but teeth like an alligator! Can’t wait ’til this little nipping stage is past. Oliver is so patient with her. She hangs on his ears and he just looks at me helplessly. 🙁 So, why am I even crazier? We are (in a couple of months) getting another Tri-color Cavalier like our Maddi! I’m in love…again! Her mama’s name is Lainie and she is the sweetest dog (besides Maddi)! Here are some pics.

“Maisie” (means Pearl) a true English name for an English breed. Born November 6th. (Sadie means Princess.)

Mama Lainie with her puppies.

Have a wonderful day! I’ll be back with another post in a couple of days. “The Perfect Blend”, my coffee design is framed and on it’s way back to me. I’m excited to show you how awesome it turned out!

I just had to share this. Not stitching related, hope that’s okay. Oliver and Sadie were sitting together so nicely, almost like they were posing. Of course a few seconds later Sadie decided to bite his ear!

The British in me loves a cup of tea. One of my favorite things to do as a child was visiting my Aunt Doll, my Dad’s sister, whose real name was Doris. Her 5 brothers nicknamed her Doll. Aunt Doll must have had the patience of a saint, as she was always picking up my dropped stitches as she taught me how to knit. She was an excellent seamstress, too, and I guess I developed my love of “anything with a needle and thread” from her. She never did cross stitch, but I’m sure she would have been great at that as well. I digress!

Aunt Doll and I would share time together with a good cup of tea, black with lots of milk and sugar! I wasn’t to learn the pleasures of coffee until I was considered an adult! I still love my tea, and have discovered so many wonderful varieties. But… coffee is my morning go to. This time of year our Wawa convenience stores here in Virginia serve up the most wonderful Pumpkin Spice blend. This with just a little Stevia (I ditched the sugar) makes my heart sing. When I can convince my husband to take an after dinner drive, I get treated to a cup.

I have a couple of tea designs, so now I thought I’d create something for the love of coffee. I’m sure it will have a few tweaks by the time I’m finished stitching it, but I thought I’d share my vision with you. Here is “The Perfect Blend.” I hope you will like it! Have a wonderful weekend!!!